James Hamilton

The 7th (Service) Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 17/07/1915 and were part of the 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division when James fell. James arrived in France on the 11/05/1915 with the Army Cyclist Corps. James was formerly with the Highland Light Infantry (19429 according to Soldiers Died in the Great War) and the Army Cyclist Corps (5956 listed on James' Medal Index Card and Service Medal and Award Rolls). James was hit by a piece of shell and killed instantly during the action at Messines and Wyschaete Ridge. The Battle of Messines 7th - 14th June 1917 : A brilliantly planned and executed attack that resulted in the capture of the Wytschaete-Messines ridge south of Ypres, a feature that had given the British problems since 1914 and which was important to hold for future offensive operations in Flanders. Commenced with one of the heaviest artillery bombardments of the war and the explosion of nineteen enormous and long-prepared underground mines. The Battalion War Diary states : "DIEPENDAAL SECTOR (left subsection) 07/06/1917 : Battalion had hot tea in assembly position at 1.0 am. Rum issued 2.30 am. Zero - 3.10 am "C" and "D" Company's led the attacks. Battalion captured all objectives and had reached the RED LINE at 3.45 am according to programme, work of consolidation at once began. The whole attack was a brilliant success. About 40 Germans were captured and about 30 killed. Our casualties slight. One Officer (killed) and about 60 Other Ranks. Communication was at once established with flank Battalions and by runners and pigeon with Battalion H.Q. 7.52 am. "A" and "B" Company's ordered to reform prior to further advance. "B" Company sent up to help in consolidation of BLUE LINE. 3.00 pm. Battalion ordered to take over whole Battalion frontage of GREEN LINE. Orders issued personally to O.C. Company's and move completed by 7.55 pm. Battalion H.Q. established in old German dugouts in ONRAET WOOD. Capt. W.H.F. Maule D.S.O. was wounded". SEE PHOTOS x 7 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY JUNE 1917 and PHOTOS x 24 FOR APPENDICES ATTACHED TO THE WAR DIARY COVERING BATTALION PREPARATIONS FOR THE OPENING DAY OF THE BATTLE 07/06/1917. A Newspaper clipping from a letter sent by J. Gibson, a comrade of James' and by the Chaplain of the Regiment - J. Gibson, a comrade of the deceased, in a letter to Mr and Mrs Gibson, says that their son was hit by a piece of a shell whilst proceeding in action, and died instantly, suffering no pain whatever. He was found by some of his comrades and was decently buried. "He is very much missed by all the men in his platoon," the writer adds, "for he was always joyful and ever ready to do his best for everyone he came in contact with. All the boys are greatly grieved at this sad fatality, and all offer their deepest sympathy and condolence with you in your sad bereavement". The Chaplain of the Regiment writes - "Your son was killed during the recent great victory at Messines and Wytschaete Ridge, and it will be, I know, some condolency to you to know that his life was given to help to win so great a success". James is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and the Drumpellier Golf Clubs Rolls of Honour x 2 (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 3, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, James' Pension Records x 3, the Army Cyclist Corps Cap Badge, the Loyal North Lancashire Cap Badge and a dummy tree used as an observation post on Hill 63 by Australian troops during the Battle of Messines. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE 19th (WESTERN) DIVISION BOOK FOR THE BATTLE OF MESSINES 1917, and the 19th (Western) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Patrick was with before he died).